What is WITS?
WITS Stands for the Women in Travel Summit which is put on by the founder, Beth Santos. As they put it:
“We’re more than just a women’s travel community. We help women get out there and gain the confidence and support we need to travel solo. But we also challenge the travel industry to do better by us. We help travel companies tell award-winning stories that represent all women, while creating a supportive and inclusive ecosystem for women worldwide.”
Solo female traveling can be difficult and in some instances downright dangerous. The number of female solo travelers has skyrocketed but what you don’t always see behind these captivating social media posts are stories of violence and death against women. There’s no question that women face unique risks when traveling solo.
Sheswanderful.com is an international collection of travelers and content creators who just want to make travel better for all women and to help and empower these same women achieve this. They also provide tools that women can use to hone their skills into a travel career. All genders are welcome to be a part of the community and invited to have discussions about elevating women and underrepresented creators. Their website can be found at www.sheswanderful.com.
Highlights of the conference:
My first day at the conference, I had registered for The Beginner’s Bootcamp which ran for most of the day. I felt at home with this group of women who were all fledglings in some way trying to feel their way through the maze of information out there. The sessions in the bootcamp are put on by expert creators, influences, and business entrepreneurs and they were all aimed and helping those of us developing our own travel career.
After that, we loaded up the buses that evening for the opening party! They really rolled out the red carpet just for us! All food and drink was complimentary and it was an amazing time!
After the party, the next day it was down to business. Just a sample of some of the workshops I attended were:
- How to Create a Killer Brand;
- From Broke Backpacker to Six-Figure Business: How to Build your Business from Influence to Income;
- Creating a Pitch Worth Opening & Negotiating your Worth;
- How to Build and Monetize your Travel TikTok Account;
- Have your Cake and Eat it too: How Content Creators with Full-Time jobs can better navigate the new Era of Work Culture;
- Ready, Set, Shoot: How to take Impactful Photos that stop the Scroll and Tell a Story.
Benefits of the conference (pros and cons):
PRO: If you are a travel writer/creator, this is the conference for you. I’ve been trying to work at getting a second career going and if you love traveling and travel writing, this is where you want to be. There are some of the best creators in the industry that end up attending this conference and there is a plethora of workshops that you can attend to build and strengthen your skills.
CON: There are so many sessions that I wanted to go to but was not able to because there was another one that I was attending that was just as significant at that exact same time. However…PRO…they are recorded so you can apparently watch them.
PRO: They have so many tours that you can go on and each one would only cost you $10.00! Some of the hours they offered were: ATV Tour at Hacienda Campo Rico, Bacardí Legacy Tour, Salsa Lesson & Calle Cerra Art Tour, Catamaran Sail to Icacos, El Yunque Rainforest Tour, Let’s Go West!, Loiza Experience / African Heritage Town Tour, Old San Juan History Walking & Shopping Tour, Picture Perfect Vieques (this one included a short 8-minute air flight), Ponce & Santa Isabel, Rainforest Foothills & Beach Tour, Spoon® Old San Juan Culinary Walk & Taste Tour. They also had a pre-conference workshop with Yulia Denisyuk who was an award-winning travel photographer and writer who would teach you what it takes to produce a media assignment.
CON: I did the Catamaran Sail to Icacos and a busload of about 60 women all talking at the same time on the hour-long drive there can be ear splitting. I am a little hard of hearing so this was the difficult part for me in not being able to hear the person well that I was seated next to.
10 Insight points of what can be gained from attending WITS in terms of pursuing a career entry to blogging:
- It doesn’t matter where you are at as a blogger or if you already have your own business up and running. Everybody is welcome and there is a strong sense of community.
- Everybody there is in it together. Everybody has their own little area of expertise. I went around and talked to a lot of people and they all had their own thing going on in some form or another and it was great to get different ideas and input.
- You have an incredible opportunity to meet many female travel bloggers and business entrepreneurs. Many of them you already might be following! They are so happy to provide suggestions to help you in your journey.
- I’m incredibly introverted and if you are as well, not to worry. Find a way to channel your confidence and strike up a conversation. I met so many amazing women. Who knows? You might find a long-lasting friendship.
- Focus on why you are attending WITS and what you hope to learn to make your blog, business, or even your travels more successful and things will start to fall in line.
- Keep this in mind…everybody is there for different reasons. They are all at different places in their travel journey. Some people haven’t even created their own blog yet and that’s okay! Focus on why you are attending and what you want to learn, how you can make your blog and social media channels more successful, and how you can earn the money you desire while traveling.
- You’ll have opportunities to meet and work directly with travel brands that might want to work with you and you can work directly with content creators.
- You will have an opportunity to sign up to meet with a mentor (by signing up in advance and paying a small fee). Mentors consist of other bloggers, creators, and professionals in the industry. They will help give you advice on what you can do to grow and work towards your goals. They are experts on a multitude of topics, including (but not limited to) blog monetization, social media, budgeting, photography, content creation, editing, fellowship/grant application writing, affiliate marketing, contract negotiation, and more.
- The workshops were a huge part of the whole conference and there was a wide range of topics. We even got a chance to make our own TikTok video in one of the sessions! They will teach you so many things in these various workshops.
- Even if you are feeling comfortable with what you are currently doing, you aren’t above bettering yourself in this field because there is always something new to learn and technology is always changing. From your photos to your videos to how you write, there is always room for improvement You are investing in yourself (and potentially your fledgling business) so why wait? You should go now!
Where is the next WITS?
It is going to be April 12th – 14th, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Get there several days ahead of time and maybe even a few days after that if you can swing it!
More information can be found at: https://witsummit.com/utah.
Costs to Attend
For creators, admission to WITS is $399 (plus an extra $100 if you want to sign up for the beginner’s bootcamp).
There are chances to get a WITS ticket for free by volunteering. I spoke to two of those lucky people at the last conference I was at.
Some of the other WIT events to think about
Wanderfest – is the world’s first outdoor travel festival for women. Travel lovers from around the world will unite for a weekend filled with inspiring speakers, live music, engaging conversations, and a soul sisterhood that will last a lifetime. This isn’t just about learning and growing. It’s about celebrating accomplishments, who we have become, and what we still have left to do. They’ll help you get to that next place in your travels. It will also feature a global marketplace of women-owned and women-made items from around the world. DATES AND LOCATIONS TBA.
Edinburgh – If you’ve always wanted to go somewhere but didn’t want to go alone, here’s your chance. You’ll have access to lightly curated activities with the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own (or with your new favorite travel buddies). This trip is open to Wanderful members only so you can’t go if you don’t join! $499.00 – September 7-10, 2023.
Antarctica – an Antarctica cruise with a group of travel-loving women + allies from the Wanderful community. They’ll journey with Intrepid Travel from Ushuaia, Argentina through the Drake Passage, take excursions around in Zodiac boats to see glaciers up-close, and get all sorts of lessons on marine biology, glaciology and Antarctic history from in-house experts. 2025 – PRICE AND EXACT DATE TBA.
Closing Notes – Personal Experience
Make sure you bring a copious amount of business cards. Get there a few days early prior to the conference and then stay a couple days after as well because they have tours that you can go on that are AMAZING and all of you have to do is pay $10.00 for each one! I went on a catamaran all-day tour and I wished I had done more! It’s a chance to meet new friends and see new places for a price point that is easy on the pocketbook. Stay in the hotel where the conference is at as well if you can as it makes things so much easier when you want to take a break from time-to-time.
Even if your blog is nothing more than a hobby for you and just a side hustle, just go and do it! You will meet so many incredible people and maybe even some lifelong friends! Networking is going to be key at this conference.
Thinking about a visit to Puerto Rico? Here’s some things to know before you go:
I did all the research from multiple sources and condensed those facts into the following need-to-know section based on the research and what I encountered as well.
Getting There
There are now 120 direct flights to Puerto Rico from major cities in the United States and even International Cities as well. I’m in Minnesota and the two airlines that fly direct are Delta and Sun Country (although it will depend on the time of year when those flights are running non-stop).
You can also take a cruise here as Old San Juan is a major Caribbean port destination. They are also starting to stop in Ponce as well (on the southern side of the island).
Driving
If you’re used to driving in the United States, you’ll find that Puerto Rico’s driving signals are mostly those universal ones you are already used to (except everything is in Spanish). You can turn right on a red light. Driving while talking or texting on the phone is illegal in Puerto Rico. The main highways have tolls so although you can pay some tolls in cash, most are changeless so it’s easier to ask for your rental car with an Autoexpreso electronic stamp.
Visitors from the United States can use their driver’s license to drive in Puerto Rico since the island is a territory of the United States. International visitors will need an International Driving Permit along with their country’s license.
Overall, renting a car in Puerto Rico is easy if you have a credit card and a driver’s license, but there are two types of insurance you’ll need to pay for: Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), and the CDW/LDW (Collision Damage Waiver and Loss Damage Waiver). The SLI is mandatory and it covers the costs of an accident that affects a third party. The CDW/LDW insurance is optional, but this insurance covers any damage to the vehicle, robbery, or an accident so you don’t have to pay for it yourself.
Gasoline is bought in liters so 1 gallon = 3.7 liters
Distance is measured in km so 1 mile = 1.61 km
Peak hours in Puerto Rico are a nightmare. Traffic jams can triple the time to get to a destination plus you’ll see more cases of road rage, people turning without turn signals, and drivers ignoring traffic lights. If you’re driving during the rush hour, just make sure to leave your hotel with enough time to arrive at your destination. Peak is 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and during the school year 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (and school doesn’t end until the end of May). During summer months it starts at 4:30 p.m.
The island’s mountain roads aren’t for the weak-hearted. The rural area sports are very narrow roads with little lighting and signs.
Taxi’s and Uber’s
Taxis are a common way to get around San Juan and they are easy to find. Go to any major hotel to catch a taxi. Cabs and shuttles are often located outside the main exits of tourist attractions or hotels’ front doors. Licensed taxi services are well regulated in Puerto Rico. Fares between the airport and key tourist areas have fixed rates. The airport has taxi dispatchers that advise passengers about the costs of their trips before they get into a cab. Fares are paid in cash only to the driver. Tips are not included (15% of the fare is what you should tip). Uber is the only major ride-hailing service available in San Juan. We used Uber almost exclusively because it was so much cheaper and easier than the taxi’s. Uber drivers can drop off departing passengers at the airport but they cannot pick up arrivals so that was the only time we used a taxi was when we departed the airport for our hotel.
Etiquette
Puerto Ricans are exceedingly cordial. Even in a big city like San Juan, rudeness is rarely encountered. The pace of life at San Juan is fast but the further you get away from San Juan, things tend to operate on “island time” which is an extremely leisurely pace. It can take a bit to get your food at a restaurant. Posted hours of operation might not be reality. Just be prepared to chill out and accept that this is just the way things are in Puerto Rico.
Time
Puerto Rico does not practice daylight savings time. Therefore, time in Puerto Rico is one hour later than eastern standard time November-March and the same as eastern daylight time from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November.
Health
The biggest health danger in Puerto Rico is from mosquito-borne viruses. The quality of health care in Puerto Rico is comparable to that in the United States and all major towns have at least one hospital and pharmacy (including Walgreens). The water is safe to drink as it is in the United States. Raw fruits and vegetables are also safe as well.
Safety and Crime
Most crime is petty crimes due to thefts from automobiles and snatched purses. Do not leave anything of value visible in your car. Keep your purse around your body and in front of you (closed). Pickpockets visit the same places as tourists. Keep money and credit cards out of back pockets and avoid carrying open handbags (have a zipper that closes and carry your purse in front of you). If walking at night, stick to well-policed areas and well-lighted streets by night.
If you see a flashing blue light, know that police vehicles often run their lights whenever they’re on patrol (it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are getting pulled over).
Use the usual precautions and you’ll be fine. Never leave your belongings unguarded on the beach, don’t leave your car unlocked, don’t leave items in your car visible, and don’t wander around after dark in deserted inner-city areas or on unpoliced beaches. Also hold off from wearing flashy jewelry or watches. Old San Juan is relatively safe though and well policed.
La Perla
The enclave of La Perla just outside the north wall of Old San Juan is known for its drug-related crimes and can be unsafe at any time though. There is no police monitoring in La Perla, and the police do not go down to check. This is a drug haven and it is purported that you can buy whatever your heart desires there. It is not recommended to go into La Perla and if you do decide to go, absolutely no photographs are allowed. The locals are accepting of tourists but taking your camera or phone out will result in you possibly being mugged and injured (one tourist was stabbed recently just for simply taking his phone out).
Below is the outline of where La Perla is. There is a street that goes downhill and stairs down there as well. It is very safe to walk along C. Norzgaray though as that is on the hill above La Perla. Do not visit the cemetery on the west side of La Perla at night as that is often the scene of muggings.
Casinos
By law, all casinos are in hotels and the government keeps a close eye on them. They can operate 24 hours a day but most individual casinos set their own hours. The minimum age to gamble is 18. Dress for the larger casinos in San Juan tends to be on the formal side (tank tops and shorts are usually not acceptable attire).
Drinking
The legal drinking age is 18. Drinking in public is illegal but drinking on the beach is legal.
Marijuana
Medical marijuana is legal in Puerto Rico. Recreational marijuana use is illegal.
Money
They use the U.S. dollar and most businesses accept debit cards and credit cards although many businesses do not accept American Express or Discover. You are going to want cash if you want to shop for food and goods from roadside vendors. Some businesses accept payment via Venmo. Sales tax are at a whopping 11.5% (the highest of any US state or territory). Room tax is 7-11% of the bill depending on what type of lodging you are in.
You’ll find few places where it’s appropriate to bargain. Prices in stores and most markets are firm and attempts at negotiation will not be welcome.
Tipping: Bars @ $1.00 per drink; Luggage attendants @ $1.00 – $2.00 per bag for anyone who helps with your luggage; Restaurants @ 15% of the bill; Taxi’s @ 15% of the fare. If possible, tip servers with cash even when paying by credit card.
Hiking
Puerto Rico ought to be a country perfectly suited to hiking. Yet in reality, decent well-signposted trails are few and far between and many of the protected forest reserves are rarely utilized. Outside El Yunque National Forest, the island’s two dozen or so forest reserves are invariably poorly staffed and lacking any accurate trail maps. El Yunque trails were also devastated by Hurricane Maria and still are not as they once were.
Weather
The temperature fluctuates between 76-88 (Fahrenheit) in the coastal plains and 73-78 (Fahrenheit) in the mountains. Humidity is a steady 80% but a northeasterly wind keeps things pretty breezy, particularly on the NE side of the island. Rain is very much a part of life in Puerto Rico. The north side receives twice as much rain as the south side of the island. Expect the heaviest precipitation from May to October (which is also hurricane season). August through October is when Puerto Rico is the most vulnerable to hurricanes. Torrential rain can happen suddenly (which it did) so we had umbrellas and ponchos on us if we were going out for the day.
Hurricane Maria was considered the “storm of the century” meaning it was highly irregular and far from the norm. It did $139 billion worth of damage to the island in 2017 and an estimated 3,000 people died either as a direct result of the storm or because of medical complications due to a lack of electricity. Much of the island was without electrical power for an entire year following Hurricane Maria. The island is still recovering but as of 2023, it is not impacting tourism on the island.
Timing is Everything
December to February = High Season.
April to October = Fewer crowds and plenty of deals (especially in the bigger hotels)…also called the “shoulder season”.
June – November = Low Season.
Best Days to Visit Old San Juan
Weekends are the best time to go if you are looking to see what the local artisans are selling. Weekends are also the busiest time, especially when cruise ships are in port. If there is more than one ship in port, be prepared for incredibly congested streets with foot traffic.
Midweek, Old San Juan is much quieter especially if there are no cruise ships docked in port.
If you are hoping to visit one or more of the numerous museums in Old San Juan, then skip Mondays as the majority of museums are closed. Some but not all are also closed on Sundays so make sure the museum that you are interested in visiting is open before going.
Animals
Rats were introduced to the island in the late 1400’s and they thrived well on the island. Then somebody had the brilliant idea of introducing mongooses to keep the rat population down. Unfortunately, mongooses are active during the day and rats are active at night so now there’s a mongoose problem. They have no natural predators on the island and they live up to 40 years. Mongooses are to be avoided at all costs as they are major carriers of rabies.
Reptiles
The coqui tree frog is the island’s national symbol but it is difficult to spot (and it is considered good luck to spot a coqui). Snakes are few and all are nonpoisonous. There are lizards everywhere on the island (including huge iguanas).
Marine Life
There are several important turtle nesting sites in Puerto Rico along the north shore and on the islands of Mona and Culebra. The turtle’s nest between April and June by climbing up on the beach at night and burying their eggs in the sand before returning to the sea. Migrating humpback whales can be spotted along the island’s west coast between January and March.
Where to stay in Old San Juan?
There is a plethora of places to stay but if you want to be where all the ships and restaurants and touristy areas are, you want to be here in Old San Juan (see map below).
However, the exception to that is the Hotel Caribe which is only less than 10 minutes away via Uber or Taxi from Old San Juan. We stayed in Isla Verde for a couple of nights and really regretted leaving the Caribe after 5 nights. We realized what an amazing property it really was.
Why did we love it so much? For starters, the views were spectacular and the amenities could not be beat. There’s two old forts right next to the Caribe as well which just adds to the views (see map below). Our hotel also had decks for each of the rooms so that you could enjoy the views sitting outside.
HOTEL CARIBE – WHAT IS THERE TO DO RIGHT AT THE RESORT:
They have their own private beach, pool, and whirlpool access plus beach towels, lounges, and umbrellas. There is a coin operated laundry if needed. The tour and guest activity recreation desk is there. There are several gift shops at the hotel (clothing, souvenirs, etc.).
The Pina Colada was invented here!
Go have a drink and sit inside or out at the Caribar Terrace at the hotel where the Pina Colada was invented!
Resort Activities
If you’re looking for something to do, there are several on-site activities you can take part in. While there is not much offered during the week, on the weekends the resort has lots to do. There is a morning yoga class, aqua aerobics, Spanish lessons, and dance lessons. You’ll also find live evening music at Caribar (the hotel bar) on the weekends.
Caribe Hilton also partners with Aqua Adventure to provide scuba diving, snorkeling, and private reef tours.
Spa & Fitness Center
Caribe Hilton has both a fitness center and spa.
The fitness center overlooks the ocean for amazing views while you work out. They have treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes, free weights, and weight machines. Attached to the fitness center, you’ll also find tennis courts you can reserve.
Next to the fitness center is the Zen Spa Océano. In addition to traditional massages and beauty services (including a hair salon), the spa also has a hydrotherapy room, a sauna, a steam room, outdoor heated whirlpools, and a relaxation lounge.
Swimming
Caribe Hilton has a really lovely pool area for the whole family to enjoy! The pool has several different sections that are all connected. It includes the main large pool, a swim-up bar, an infinity pool, a hot tub, and a children’s splash area.
You can also get towels at the towel stand, so no need to bring your own. The attendant will also ask you each time you go out there what your room number is and match it to his information so as to make sure the only people out there are indeed hotel guests.
Caribe Hilton Beach
Caribe Hilton has its own beach area for you to enjoy, and they have some really great features!
The main beach area is just to the north of the hotel building. Since there are some wave breakers, the water here is relatively calm so kids would be safe swimming here. There are beach chairs you can use, or you can choose to rent a private cabana for up to six people.
All along the front of the property, there is a walkway looking out over the ocean. It’s perfect for a relaxing stroll, and you’ll also find chairs here to sit and just watch the ocean.
Between the main beach and the pool, you’ll also find a hammock area. It’s in a grove of palm trees where they have several hammocks hung up for you to enjoy. There are also lights strung up between the trees, which makes this area especially lovely at night.
There is also a sun deck between the pool area and the beach with lots of seating to lounge on and take in the sun. This is particularly useful if you want to enjoy the sun and be by the ocean without getting sandy!
The Wave Wing
Below are the spectacular views from the Wave Wing where we had 2 rooms (each with a deck and each facing a different side of the building).
Dining Options at the Caribe
They had a lot of great dining options at the Caribe but expect to pay a little bit more as well.
Lola’s Puerto Rican Cuisine – has a great variety of Puerto Rican rums as well – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily
Bagua – Swim up bar open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily
Caribar and Caribar Terrace – cocktails and tapas with panoramic ocean views inside and out – 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. daily (food served until 11:00 p.m.)
Ice Cream and Cookie Company – ice cream, gourmet cookies, acai bowls, smoothies, coffee, and sandwiches – The highlight of this place is the ice cream – Monday – Thursday – 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday – 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Mojito’s Caribbean Fusion – Spanish and local flavors (farm to table) – 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
Nectar del Caribe – breakfast – 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (daily breakfast is not included – this is an additional cost)
Rustica Restorante – northern Italian cuisine, seafood, and wines from around the world – 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily
Starbucks Coffee – treats and coffee – 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily
Morton’s the Steakhouse – swanky steakhouse – there is a dress code – reservations required – 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Dining Option right next to the Caribe
There isn’t a lot of dining options around the hotel though (you’ll have to go to Old San Juan for the best food). We got fond of Pizza Piola though which is right next to the hotel and went there a couple of nights. The prices were super reasonable, the beer was cold, the pizza was great, and the service was top notch.
What to do in Old San Juan
Regardless of where you end up focusing on going, just walking the streets of Old San Juan is an experience. All the buildings are brightly colored in the Caribbean pastels. There are so many shops and restaurants to choose from!
La Casa Estrecha – The Narrow House
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF WALKING the streets of Old San Juan, you may be surprised to come across an extraordinarily slim, two-story house known as La Casa Estrecha. Measuring a mere 5’3″ across, the house was once a neglected alleyway before it was transformed into a home by architect Antonio Álvarez.
The house has all the basic amenities of a home, including a living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. The bathroom’s design, however, is a bit tricky: without enough space for a separate shower area, the floor was fitted with a drain under the sink area, so all the washing goes down in one spot.
Castillo San Cristobal – Unesco World Heritage Site
The fort’s construction began in 1634 and was completed in 1783. The fort eventually encompassed 27 acres of land, although some of it was destroyed to accommodate the expanding city. Today a section of the fort is open to the public who can wander freely among its intriguing array of tunnels, ramps, stairways, batteries, magazines, soldiers’ quarters, and turreted sentry posts. The views of the city that you get from this fort are amazing! The admission fee of $10.00 per person also includes entry to El Morro (you have 24 hours to visit the other fort so make sure you keep your receipt). This is a National Park so if you have your America the Beautiful, Senior, or Military pass already to be sure to bring that with you on this trip.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
El Morro is said to be the oldest Spanish fort in the New World. Commonly called El Morro, it is an impressive sight to behold no matter what direction you come from. Inside Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a maze of rooms including gun rooms, soldiers’ quarters, a chapel, turreted sentry posts, and a prison connected by tunnels, ramps, and a spiral stairway. The foundations for El Morro were laid in 1539, but it wasn’t completed until 1787. It successfully endured many foreign attacks by the English in 1595, 1598, and 1797, and by the Dutch in 1625. During the Spanish-American war, the United States fired on El Morro and destroyed the lighthouse, which was later rebuilt.
The admission fee of $10.00 per person also includes entry to Castillo San Cristobal (you have 24 hours to visit the other fort so make sure you keep your receipt).
Puerta de San Juan
Built in 1635, the commanding red La Puerta de San Juan is the last remaining gate, of the original five, to provide access through La Muralla into the walled city. Located at the end of Calle Caleta de San Juab, the 16-foot tall, 20-foot thick red door was the main gate to the city to unload all colonists and supplies.
Paseo del Morro
The beautiful Paseo del Morro is a broad 3-mile promenade along San Juan Bay. It spans from Paseo de la Princesa, north past La Puerta de San Juan, around Castillo San Felipe del Morro, back through a gate and across the vast lawn in front of El Morro. You will have stunning views of the bay and city wall.
Barrachina
Barrachina is one of two places in Puerto Rico (the Caribe Hilton being the other) that claims to have invented the pina colada which is served here from a slushy-style machine. It is surprisingly tasty but the Caribe Hilton still is our favorite though.
Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud and Parque de Palomas
This is one of the most photographed sights in San Juan. Legend has it that horse races were held on Calle del Cristo. One ill-fated rider was speeding down the hill so fast he couldn’t stop in time and tumbled over the city wall to his death so the chapel was built to prevent a similar occurrence. An alternative end to the legend is that the rider survived and the church was built to show thanks to God.
Beside the building is Parque de Palomas, a gated park overlooking San Juan Harbor that is home to so many pigeons. Birdseed is available for purchase at the gate to the park by a vendor if you want to feed the birds (bring hand sanitizer and possibly something to clean the mess off of your clothing when you are done).
Calle de la Fortaleza (Fortaleza Street)
While Old San Juan has no shortage of vibrant photo spots, Fortaleza Street really stands out above the rest.
Plaza Colón and the I Love San Juan Sign
This is a large town square and in the center is a huge pedestal with a statue of Christopher Columbus, whom the plaza is named after. At this end of Old San Juan, the city wall was torn down in 1897 and the plaza stands on the site of one of the city’s original gated entries, Puerta Santiago. Several restaurants and shops surround it on two sides. Taxi’s also line up here if you want to grab a taxi.
Go on a food tour!
There are so many tours to choose from but one of the best food tours you can do in Old San Juan through is the Spoon Experience – Old San Juan Walk and Taste Tour. You also get some history lessons on this tour as well.
Things to do outside of Old San Juan
Ron del Barrilito – Hacienda Santa Ana
Although Ron del Barrilito’s handcrafted Puerto Rican rum isn’t often seen outside the island, it’s a local favorite that has been around since 1880. A visit to its distillery, will ensure you take home a truly special island souvenir. The rum’s 4 varieties are differentiated by how long they’re aged. Although you can sample rum at the visitor’s center, for a more in-depth look at things, book a tour! We did the Rum Tasting Tour which includes a history of the family, the rum-making process, and a visit to the barrel room.
Ron del Barrilito’s iconic label has remained virtually unchanged since the late nineteenth century and you are probably wondering if the rum can only be found on the island for the most part, why all the medals on the bottles? The medals on the main label’s upper segment were awarded for quality during various expositions across the United States in the early twentieth century.
If you do a tour, you will see the “Freedom Barrel,” filled in 1952 which shall not be opened until Puerto Rico achieves full independence. When that happens, the company says they’ll serve the rum in the town square.
We were able to sample all four rums in the tasting room and after we were done we were awarded our own certificate and given a token to have a mixed drink at the bar.
Casa BACARDÍ
They have a huge visitor’s center and general tours (every 30 minutes) where you can learn all about Barardi Rum. We took the ferry over from Old San Juan for $.50 a person and then took an Uber from there. We had signed up for the last tour of the day and we had trouble finding a ride back to Isla Verde. I do not recommend going late in the day if you are using an Uber. It was even hard to find one to bring us from where the ferry docked to Casa Bacardi. I would suggest skipping the ferry and just taking an Uber directly from Old San Juan or wherever you are at.
Barcardi is the top-selling rum in the United States and is still owned and operated by its founder’s descendants. I did a lot of research on this one and most people raved about the mixology tour which includes the general tour and then a chance to learn how to make a couple of classic drinks (we made a mojito and a pina coloda). I can honestly say that you should go for the mixology tour as this was so much fun. I suggest booking your tour as far in advance as you can as tours can fill up weeks (sometimes more than a month) in advance.
Reserva Natural Arrecifes de la Cordillera
Take a chartered boat out to go swimming and snorkeling! Castillo Tours picked us up at the Caribe Hilton and it took a little over an hour to arrive at the docks. We then boarded the catamaran and headed out to Icacos for some swimming, snorkeling on the reefs, and plenty of rum drinks! All the drinks and lunch were included! This was an all-day excursion and tons of fun!
Go Jet Skiing with Ocean Pro Adventures
There are so many places that will rent jet skis in Isla Verde (just east of Old San Juan). We went with Ocean Pro Adventures and couldn’t have been happier. The guides were great and took great care with everybody. Even first-timers on a jet ski were able to do the tour. At one point, you could even get in the water and swim! They were so accommodating and outgoing that I would recommend them to anybody (first timers or already a pro). Make sure you check the age limits as this one lets riders under 21 drive the jet ski (and that isn’t always the case with every outfitter).
El Yunque Rain Forest
This is Puerto Rico’s shining jewel. One of the world’s most accessible rainforests. There are so many companies who are willing to pick you up at your hotel and take you on a tour of the rain forest. We got to slide down some waterfalls and swim in the refreshing water after a humid, slippery hike down a steep hill. Don’t forget your rain gear if you don’t plan on getting in the water! It isn’t called a rain forest for no reason!
Make Puerto Rico your next vacation destination!
There’s so much more to see and do on the island than just what I covered so make sure you make Puerto Rico one of your bucket-list destinations. You won’t be disappointed!
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